Education Fundinghttp://boisestatepublicradio.org
enIdaho University Officials Report Program, Staff Cuts http://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/idaho-university-officials-report-program-staff-cuts
<p>All four of Idaho's four-year public universities and colleges have eliminated degree programs, dissolved academic departments or reduced staff over the past year as part of a statewide effort to cut costs and prioritize college programs.<br /><br />Boise State University restructured several of its academic departments, resulting in the removal of its College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs. Meanwhile, the University of Idaho discontinued 19 degree options. This included bachelor degrees in American Studies, Art Education and Medical Technology.<br />Mon, 22 Jun 2015 19:13:07 +0000Associated Press66512 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgIdaho School Districts Ask Voters For Money...Againhttp://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/idaho-school-districts-ask-voters-moneyagain
<p>Several <a href="http://www.idahoednews.org/news/ballot-measures-three-districts-will-try-again-tuesday/#.VVoasJPmI3Q" target="_blank">school districts around Idaho are asking voters to approve levies and bonds Tuesday</a>. That includes Horseshoe Bend, Notus, Parma and Marsing. <a href="http://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/idaho-school-districts-increasingly-rely-levies-pay-bills" target="_blank">Turning to local voters for money has become a fixture in Idaho</a> in recent years as schools have sought to fill budget holes left by state cuts.Tue, 19 May 2015 16:03:30 +0000Adam Cotterell64780 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgIdaho School Districts Ask Voters For Money...AgainExtension Of 'Secure Rural Schools' Means Idaho Counties Can Breathe Easy...For Nowhttp://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/extension-secure-rural-schools-means-idaho-counties-can-breathe-easyfor-now
<p>President Barack Obama <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/239165-obama-signs-200b-doc-fix-bill" target="_blank">last week signed a $200 billion Medicare bill</a> that reforms payments to physicians. Tucked inside that massive Medicare bill was a two-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools Act, a federal program that <a href="http://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/loss-federal-timber-payments-mean-tough-choices-idaho-schools" target="_blank">pays rural counties and school districts</a> with a lot of non-taxable forest land.</p>Thu, 23 Apr 2015 18:13:24 +0000Emilie Ritter Saunders63527 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgExtension Of 'Secure Rural Schools' Means Idaho Counties Can Breathe Easy...For NowIdaho Legislature Approves 7.4 Percent Spending Hike For Public Schools, Now Heads To Governorhttp://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/idaho-legislature-approves-74-percent-spending-hike-public-schools-now-heads-governor
<p></p><p>Legislation that would increase Idaho's public school funding and boost salary increases for teachers has only one remaining hurdle.</p><p>The Idaho House approved all seven pieces of the state's largest budget with almost no discussion on Monday, sending the bills to the governor's desk.</p><p>None of the bills — a combined $1.4 billion in general funds — garnered more than seven votes in opposition.</p><p>Under the proposals, public schools funding will increase by 7.4 percent to help fund the first year of the new teacher pay increase.</p>Tue, 07 Apr 2015 15:18:41 +0000Associated Press62679 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgIdaho Legislature Approves 7.4 Percent Spending Hike For Public Schools, Now Heads To GovernorIdaho Governor Signs $125 Million Teacher Pay Bill Into Law http://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/idaho-governor-signs-125-million-teacher-pay-bill-law
<p>The nearly $125 million plan to boost teacher pay in Idaho over the next five years won the governor's stamp of approval.<br /><br />Under the new law, which Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signed Thursday, rookie teacher pay would steadily increase to $37,000 a year by 2020.<br /><br />Over time, more experienced teachers will be able to qualify for higher pay of roughly $42,000 to $50,000 a year.<br /><br />Otter says passing the plan that had support from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and all major stakeholders defined the 2015 legislative session as historic.<br />Thu, 02 Apr 2015 21:58:21 +0000Associated Press62456 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgIdaho Governor Signs $125 Million Teacher Pay Bill Into Law Idaho Senate Passes Public School Funding Boost, Heads To House Nexthttp://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/idaho-senate-passes-public-school-funding-boost-heads-house-next
<p>The Idaho Senate has approved a 7.4 percent increase to the state's public school budget, which includes funding for a sweeping five-year plan to boost teacher pay.<br /><br />The chamber unanimously approved all seven parts of the Idaho's largest budget — totaling more than $1.4 billion of general funds — with no debate on Tuesday.<br /><br />Republican Sen. Dean Cameron from Rupert says he'd never seen the chamber move through the education budget so swiftly.<br />Wed, 01 Apr 2015 19:39:30 +0000Associated Press62387 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgCommittee Boosts Idaho Schools Budget By 7.4 Percent http://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/committee-boosts-idaho-schools-budget-74-percent
<p></p><p>Legislative budget writers are matching Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's request to restore public education money slashed during the economic downturn by adding roughly $101 million to the Idaho schools budget.</p><p>The Joint Finance Appropriations Committee approved increasing the schools budget by 7.4 percent on Friday. The proposal now needs to pass both chambers, but the legislation is expected to pass.</p><p>The proposal includes allotting $33.5 million to boost teacher pay, part of a five-year teacher pay increase plan lawmakers approved earlier this week.</p>Fri, 27 Mar 2015 21:00:18 +0000Associated Press62126 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgCommittee Boosts Idaho Schools Budget By 7.4 Percent $125M Teacher Pay Boost Bill Passes Idaho Senate http://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/125m-teacher-pay-boost-bill-passes-idaho-senate
<p>Rookie teachers in Idaho will receive pay raises starting July 1 under a $125 million proposal headed to the governor's desk for his signature.</p><p>The Idaho Senate unanimously approved the measure Thursday, where senators offered only praise that the 30-page bill had survived both chambers after seeing prior proposals flounder this legislative session.</p>Thu, 26 Mar 2015 22:31:47 +0000Associated Press62077 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgIdaho Teacher Salaries Took A Dip In 2014http://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/idaho-teacher-salaries-took-dip-2014
<p></p><p>The average teacher pay in Idaho dropped by more than $200 from 2012-13 to 2013-14 — a decrease that the state’s teachers’ union can’t explain.</p><p>On average, only two states pay their teachers less than Idaho.</p><p>A March 10 hearing on a teacher career ladder bill drew dozens of teachers to the Statehouse to testify. A new version of the bill passed the House Monday.</p><p>But meanwhile, pay appeared to increase for Idaho “instructional staff,” including counselors, principals and curriculum specialists.</p>Wed, 25 Mar 2015 21:24:40 +0000Kevin Richert62001 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgIdaho Teacher Salaries Took A Dip In 2014In Idaho School District, Preschool At Risk Without Federal Fundshttp://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/idaho-school-district-preschool-risk-without-federal-funds
The Basin School District in rural south-central Idaho has something most districts in the state don't: preschool.Thu, 12 Mar 2015 21:29:00 +0000editor61350 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgIn Idaho School District, Preschool At Risk Without Federal FundsAcross Idaho, Voters To Decide On $393 Million For Schoolshttp://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/across-idaho-voters-decide-393-million-schools
<p>Across the state, a high-stakes school election day looms on Tuesday.<br /><br />How high are the stakes? There are at least $393.3 million in bond issues and school levies on the ballot next week.</p>Thu, 05 Mar 2015 22:51:20 +0000Kevin Richert61009 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgAcross Idaho, Voters To Decide On $393 Million For SchoolsIdaho School Counseling Programs Would Get Funding Boost In Billhttp://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/idaho-school-counseling-programs-would-get-funding-boost-bill
<p>A House panel is considering a plan to spend $2.5 million to support school counselors and lay out specific guidelines for their job descriptions.</p><p>The House Education Committee introduced the bill Thursday.</p><p>Marilyn Whitney, education liaison for Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, says counselors often get sidetracked by having to substitute teach or maintain records.</p><p>According to the bill, counselors should spend their time helping students choose academic courses and work with students with disciplinary problems.</p>Thu, 05 Mar 2015 20:19:20 +0000Associated Press60995 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgIdaho Legislature Might Leave Priorities Unfinished This Yearhttp://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/idaho-legislature-might-leave-priorities-unfinished-year
<p>Two months into Idaho’s legislative session, many of the priorities lawmakers set at the beginning of the year haven’t been touched. Legislative leaders say things like road and bridge funding and a tax overhaul may have to wait until next year.</p><p>At an event organized by the Idaho Press Club Wednesday, Speaker of the House Scott Bedke said he’s optimistic the session can end by March 27. That’s despite the fact that a highly-anticipated bill to give teachers a raise was introduced Wednesday and a comprehensive plan to pay for fixing Idaho’s roads and bridges hasn’t yet surfaced.</p>Thu, 05 Mar 2015 14:15:00 +0000Adam Cotterell60946 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgIdaho Legislature Might Leave Priorities Unfinished This YearCompanies Would Take Risk In Education Programs Under Idaho Billhttp://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/companies-would-take-risk-education-programs-under-idaho-bill
<p>A legislative panel is backing a bill that would let Idaho's Education Department contract with private companies for education programs, and then only pay once the programs are shown to work.</p>Mon, 23 Feb 2015 19:07:17 +0000Associated Press60433 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgCompanies Would Take Risk In Education Programs Under Idaho BillNew Idaho Schools Superintendent Wants $87 Million Budget Boosthttp://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/new-idaho-schools-superintendent-wants-87-million-budget-boost
<p>Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra says she wants local school officials to decide how money should be spent in the classroom.</p>Thu, 29 Jan 2015 20:07:17 +0000Associated Press59113 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgNew Idaho Schools Superintendent Wants $87 Million Budget BoostGov. Otter Hints At Budget Priorities Ahead Of Idaho Legislative Sessionhttp://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/gov-otter-hints-budget-priorities-ahead-idaho-legislative-session
<p>Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter says he's going to ask the Idaho Legislature to restore funding for public schools back to pre-recessional levels.&nbsp;</p><p>However, Otter and other legislative leaders noted that there is still no clear consensus regarding the Legislature's other pending issues such as a transportation funding and addressing the state's broken indigent care system.</p>Thu, 08 Jan 2015 20:56:06 +0000Associated Press58041 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgGov. Otter Hints At Budget Priorities Ahead Of Idaho Legislative SessionIdaho's Supplemental School Levy Bill Ticks Down, But More Districts Rely On Voter-Approved Fundshttp://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/idahos-supplemental-school-levy-bill-ticks-down-more-districts-rely-voter-approved-funds
<p></p><p>Idaho school districts are collecting more than $180 million in voter-approved supplemental levies in 2014-15.</p><p>This represents almost a 4 percent decrease from 2013-14, when districts collected more than $188 million in supplemental levies. But the dropoff can be explained by reduced levies in three of the state’s largest districts. Across the state, levy elections are more commonplace than ever.</p>Mon, 05 Jan 2015 22:35:06 +0000Kevin Richert57875 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgIdaho's Supplemental School Levy Bill Ticks Down, But More Districts Rely On Voter-Approved FundsGov. Otter Says Plan To Boost Teacher Pay Is In Budget Drafthttp://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/gov-otter-says-plan-boost-teacher-pay-budget-draft
<p></p><p>Gov. Butch Otter says his 2015-16 budget blueprint has money set aside to launch a career ladder program to boost teacher pay.</p><p>“It’s within our parameters,” Otter said in a Wednesday interview with Idaho Education News. “I have every confidence that we will get the first year.”</p>Thu, 02 Oct 2014 20:14:52 +0000Kevin Richert53103 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgGov. Otter Says Plan To Boost Teacher Pay Is In Budget DraftRural Idaho Community Divided Over Failed School Levyhttp://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/rural-idaho-community-divided-over-failed-school-levy
<p>A school superintendent in northern Idaho says the reason his district hasn't had music classes in more than a year, and will soon switch to virtual gym classes, is as much about the difficulty of attracting and retaining qualified teachers in rural areas as it is about funding.</p><p>The story of Lapwai School District's&nbsp;<a href="http://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/high-school-students-will-take-virtual-gym-class-small-idaho-town" target="_blank"> funding problems </a>has been picked up by just about every news outlet in the state.</p><p></p>Thu, 04 Sep 2014 19:12:02 +0000Adam Cotterell51674 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgRural Idaho Community Divided Over Failed School LevyIdaho's Superintendent Luna Proposes Largest School Budget Increase Yet http://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/idahos-superintendent-luna-proposes-largest-school-budget-increase-yet
<p></p><p>Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna is proposing a 6.9 percent budget increase to Idaho's public school funding for 2015. Luna says the budget calls for the largest spending increase he's ever proposed in his nearly eight-year tenure.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Luna unveiled his budget Tuesday to Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and legislative leadership. However, because Luna isn't seeking a third-term, it'll be the winner of the November election who will be tasked with selling the $94 million budget increase to lawmakers during the next legislative session.</p>Tue, 02 Sep 2014 19:45:40 +0000Associated Press51552 at http://boisestatepublicradio.orgIdaho's Superintendent Luna Proposes Largest School Budget Increase Yet